Belarus president pledges support for scientists, stresses results over promises

Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko has expressed readiness to support increasing scientists’ wages to the maximum extent possible, provided their work produces tangible results.

His remarks came during a briefing from Vladimir Karanik, Chairman of the Presidium of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus, Caliber.Az reports, citing Belarusian media.

Addressing the issue of elevating the status of scientists, Lukashenko emphasized the need for measurable achievements rather than symbolic gestures. “You raise the matter of enhancing the status of scientists. In the society. And say that it may encourage more young people to pursue scientific careers on the whole. Not only in the Academy of Sciences. It is not the first time this matter has been raised. You know my stance. You may have a similar stance particularly after your work in the real sector of the economy,” he said.

The president underscored that financial incentives must be tied to concrete outputs. “I know what the work of a person of science is. I am ready to assist with ensuring maximum payments, but I need results. If we simply elevate the status [of scientists] by doubling the wages, it is unlikely we will get anything in return. This is why it is necessary to dive deep and make sure that the scientists are real ones. And in order to elevate the status. Instead of what we have usually done: let’s pay for academic dissertations, let’s pay for something else and so on.”

Lukashenko stressed that accomplishments should determine a scientist’s standing and remuneration. “If you have accomplishments, if you have results, then [you’ll get] any money,” he said, citing examples such as unmanned aerial vehicles and electric cars. He noted that while Belarusian scientists have promised an electric vehicle for several years, the project has yet to materialize despite significant funding, questioning the justification for enhanced status in such cases.

The president concluded: “This is why if there are accomplishments, inventions, concrete results, then you will get paid for it. In other words, the state should pay for results. And we will help scientists, sparing no expense. I say it once again: we may be underperforming somewhere, we need to change. So that scientists would come and work and would not be poor. Because it takes time to invent something… But results should be paid for. It is the key thing. It is my solid stance.”

By Vafa Guliyeva